Buyers Guide to Commer PBs

studiocommer

studiocommer

0
Just wondered if it would be worth doing a sticky buyers guide covering what to look for in our beloved commer vans - they seem to gaining a good following :) They have a huge amount of character & charm and problems can all be sorted so please don't let the following make it sound too serious [8)][:0]


Rusty bits.......worth checking for bad filler

Anywhere below the 'plimsole line' all the way round, i.e. fluted panels, wheel arches, door bottoms, corners, lower side panels, seams

Rear corner panels where they curve out half way up (at window level)

Roof gutters and panels next to these & the dreaded 'don't look up' inside the peak (haven't seen one that wasn't rusty yet[V])

Nose section around air vent and area around windscreen

Rear leaf spring seats & cab floors

Jacking points

Heater box inside cab under dashboard - check behind as rots out from the back

Under quarterlight windows - can rot out from underneath without visible signs externally

Am I putting you off yet or are you thirsty for more[?]

Leaky Bits........possible water damage inside

Windows - all of them have potential but worst culprits are corners of side windows which dribble and can rot woodwork inside

Roof screws - if any are loose water can find it's way in to get your cupboards, can be nasty in coach builts if got to timber framework (that one inspired by OKUs highwayman[:0])

Go on, you still want one.....:p

Mechanicals....

Got to say Commers seem great for their age mechanically, they do get snatchy brakes and fuel supply problems but compared to other stuff of the era they are pretty good. 1725 engine pulls pretty well- seems to deliver about 18-25mpg up to 55mph comfortably - will go faster but gets a little wearing on the ears.0-60? erm, well, at least if you have the camper version you can put the kettle on while you get there:I

There is a very stately 1500cc engine to be had but haven't seen any recently as well as 1600cc on some of the earlier 60s vans.

If you find a 1725 with overdrive that'll be the bees knees - but they all have potential to pull at the old heart strings so good luck and keep us posted......moral & technical support always on hand;)

This is only a rough guide and won't have covered everything so all contributions welcome:)



Bessie - four star commerdation
 
Good idea-I was searching for something similar to this but couldnt find anything.

Forgive my silly question-How do you know if you have overdrive or not?
 
if a switch is not visible inside, usually on the gear lever then a quick look underneath at the gearbox will tell you, o/d boxes are longer and have an extra section in the tail.
a good check of the steering for play in the joints and if poss jack up and wobble the wheels to check kingpins for slop.

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off no.3"
 
Beware of mice nesting in the chassis rails [V] they make a mess of you wiring and use your tea towels as nesting material[xx(].
Fuel problems i.e. snakeskin and gunk in the tank, worthwhile taking any prospective purchase on a good run even if it is at the cost of a gallon of petrol paid to the seller. Be cheeky, give him a fiver and say you want a 30 mile test drive that should show up any problems[}:)]. After all how mant times have we heard the journey home going pear shaped after a while, the time for it to go wrong will hopefully be on the test drive


'Harvey the RV'
 
Bulbous end squeezing an essential part of routine maintenance, a question that just has to be asked.

'Harvey the RV'
 
Good Grief if that lot hasn't put you off
WELCOME TO THE MADHOUSE :D[}:)]:D
but isn't this all the stuff we love about them [?]

"SYBHIL" & N0.1
 
And dont forget to buy the dry water for the radiator. As recommended by Martin:D:D:D P.S I squeeze my bulb regularly. It stops your box rotting!!!![^]:p

"Debs&Skye"
 
quote:
Originally posted by Debs

And dont forget to buy the dry water for the radiator.
"Debs&Skye"



As long as you remember to re-hydrate it first ;)

'Harvey the RV'
 
Always park facing uphill if you can so that when/if the handbrake sticks you can just push and roll backwards thus releasing the brakes on the front wheels. Dozer had to sort Skye's handbrake out when it stuck!!![:(!]and she was facing the wrong way[xx(][xx(]

Never let the petrol gauge get less than 1/4 full as you get the gunk coming up the pipe and clogging the fuel line.Don't necessarily trust the fuel gauge either!!lol [xx(][xx(]

"Debs&Skye"
 
or better still, buy a nice shiny new aluminium tank, if that bloke ever gets around to finishing them.................:I

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off no.3"
 
Hmmm. I don't know much bout campers yet. I've got a Hillman Imp. If they have anything in common, it seems to be the rootes group own patented tin worm and strange little gremlins from the sixties. The Imp's not quite so comfy to sleep in though i must say!
 
Nearly bought an Imp as my first car from auction (a real one - not ebay) but it went for £150, £50 more than I had to spend [V], got a Viva instead. Welcome to the madhouse, you're in the same neighbourhood as Studiocommer, well same county :D

'Harvey the RV'
 
Hi Chamois, which imp are you? (possibly either met you at petrol station or scolton;)) nice to see you here - welcome:)

Tin worm not necessarily a rootes invention but think as all ladies of a certain age - water retention seems to be a weakness:I:D

Bessie - four star commerdation
 
Hi Chamois,
Welcome to the madhouse,I'm also an Imp owner for my sins, trouble is they are addictive as are Commers:p:p.
I have a "Caledonian" which is my every day car,a de-lux which was bought as a doner car and was to good break and my Commer PB Autosleeper that i'm hoping to tow an Imp to shows with and be able to stay over night in[8D].
Where you at Malton for the national[?]
Do you fancy a Commer then[?]
Cheers
Trev
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc27/daytona_com/saturdayrunatthenational.jpg
back to my "rootes"
 
Hi all. Daytona, yes i was at malton from thirs to mon. First year in nine i've been without an imp. Felt a bit lost without it. Saw a couple of caladonians. One was Ed Rhys's. Was the other yours? Was a blooooody good weekend though.
Hi studiocommer. White pa isn't it. Yes i work in the petrol station with the dark blue Chamois. It's off the road for a while now. The old tin worm is breeding on it. Slowly colecting panels for it. Yeah imp's have a tendancy to be incontinent with their water sometimes. Steam power! it's the future!
Best mate jason lived in a commer camper for a few weeks when he left home. He went to london, whitby and all over in it. Including sleeping outside my house for a week.
 
Sorry to hear the Chamois off the road - hope the panel collecting is going well and you get back out there soon - if you're passing Croeslan or around for Road Run you're welcome to nab a brew and a natter;)

Bessie - four star commerdation
 
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